Preparing for his retirement next year, Jim Gleason established a Williamsburg-based book store, Williamsburg Bookstop, last May. Gleason, general manager of the Whittaker's Mill resort in Williamsburg, says going into the book business was only natural for him. He loves books and has been a collector most of his life. Gleason has stocked his 720-square-foot store, located in Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center, with hardbacks, paperbacks, children's books and a variety of collectible books, magazines and posters.

Jewish book fair to include lectures, readings and signings The United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula will present a Jewish book fair Monday-Friday at the center, 2700 Spring Road, Newport News. The week will feature lectures, readings and book signings. Books will be available for purchase for all ages and reading levels. Book fair hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Eliezer Sobel, author of "The 99th Monkey: A Spiritual Journalist's Misadventures with Gurus, Messahs, Sex, Psychedelics and Other Consciousness-Raising Experiments," will present a lecture at a dessert reception at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

With over thirty children's books to his credit, I spoke with Jonathan London concerning his career as a children's book author and in particular his most recent book, "Ali, Child of the Desert." Below are some of the highlights of my conversation with this interesting man. Q: You have written a variety of different books, from comical, with your "Froggy" books, to Native American tales, stories of nature, and cross-cultural experiences. Your diversity is interesting. What can you share with us about your wide range of interests as a writer?

Last week marked Part One of your response to the question -- what do you want to see and not see published in children's books? Below you'll find more of the strong opinions shared by many readers across the country. The fourth most-mentioned category by readers on the "want" list for children's literature concerns illustrations. Consumers look for "illustrations that truly complement the writing," illustrations that are beautiful, creative and touch the heart and the mind. Illustrations for babies and toddlers should be clear, simple illustrations with bold, bright colors that stimulate the eye and can be understood by the child.

Children squirming with so much excitement they can barely sit still and children learning about math are two scenes not usually confused. But there's something about the number "1 million" that had the students at McIntosh Elementary School doing just that Friday morning. David Schwartz, a children's book author, thinks he knows what it is. Children like big numbers for the same reasons they like dinosaurs and whales, said Schwartz, who visited two Newport News elementary schools Friday.

Jewish book fair to include lectures, readings and signings The United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula will present a Jewish book fair Monday-Friday at the center, 2700 Spring Road, Newport News. The week will feature lectures, readings and book signings. Books will be available for purchase for all ages and reading levels. Book fair hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Eliezer Sobel, author of "The 99th Monkey: A Spiritual Journalist's Misadventures with Gurus, Messahs, Sex, Psychedelics and Other Consciousness-Raising Experiments," will present a lecture at a dessert reception at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Last week marked Part One of your response to the question -- what do you want to see and not see published in children's books? Below you'll find more of the strong opinions shared by many readers across the country. The fourth most-mentioned category by readers on the "want" list for children's literature concerns illustrations. Consumers look for "illustrations that truly complement the writing," illustrations that are beautiful, creative and touch the heart and the mind. Illustrations for babies and toddlers should be clear, simple illustrations with bold, bright colors that stimulate the eye and can be understood by the child.

Q I heard Oprah Winfrey is doing children's books for her book club. Do you have any information? - J.A., Suffolk. A Until now Oprah's Book Club has selected only adult titles but three titles from Bill Cobsy's "Little Bill" series for beginning readers (ages 5 to 8) have been selected. They are "The Meanest Thing to Say," "The Best Way to Play" and "The Treasure Hunt." The books retail for $3.99 each and are dedicated to Cosby's son, Ennis, who was killed last January. Oprah's January Book Club show will feature a special dinner for kids with Bill Cosby.

Flying bears, even famous ones like Winnie-the-Pooh, do not faze Mary Lancaster. Lancaster calmly works the cash register of her Creative Kids bookstore, seemingly oblivious to the pre-school uprising taking place only 10 feet away. There, underneath a six-foot pirate ship mural, kids dive on giant yellow beanbags, bump their heads while crawling under tables and hurl stuffed Pooh-bears at the crow's nest painted on the wall. After the commotion subsides - and after several admiring customers thank her for opening the store - Lancaster says she's happy Creative Kids is beginning to find a niche in the community in the month since its October opening.

Who says Dr. Seuss is dead? Theodore Seuss Geisel, the beloved author of children's books, passed away recently, but about 90 sixth-graders at Magruder Elementary School proved to parents and friends "Dr. Seuss Lives" through his works in an hourlong show Thursday night in the school auditorium. The youngsters prepared for the show during a nine-week workshop at Bruton High School, which houses the School of the Arts for York County public schools. Their teachers were Jennifer Chalkley, Tasha Tacosa, Annette Turman and Kim Williams, themselves drama students at the School of the Arts.

Believe it or not, I don't like doing bad reviews. What I'd really like is to have every children's book be one worth reading. When I come across books that are particularly poor, it infuriates me. After all, most people work hard for their money and think carefully about what they purchase and how they pay for things. Buying children's books is no exception. So, in the interest of protecting your child's mind and your wallet, below is my annual list of the "Ten Worst" children's books I've read this year.

Nothing annoys me quite like a lousy children's book. As one who reads children's books by the hundreds, looking for the best the industry has to offer, I'm angered when I come across books that don't make sense, are impossible to follow, convey an inappropriate message, or are just plain stupid. I save these nasty blisters throughout the year, then choose from that group to present my annual list of the worst children's books for the year. What we choose to read to children does make a difference.

Children squirming with so much excitement they can barely sit still and children learning about math are two scenes not usually confused. But there's something about the number "1 million" that had the students at McIntosh Elementary School doing just that Friday morning. David Schwartz, a children's book author, thinks he knows what it is. Children like big numbers for the same reasons they like dinosaurs and whales, said Schwartz, who visited two Newport News elementary schools Friday.

Q I heard Oprah Winfrey is doing children's books for her book club. Do you have any information? - J.A., Suffolk. A Until now Oprah's Book Club has selected only adult titles but three titles from Bill Cobsy's "Little Bill" series for beginning readers (ages 5 to 8) have been selected. They are "The Meanest Thing to Say," "The Best Way to Play" and "The Treasure Hunt." The books retail for $3.99 each and are dedicated to Cosby's son, Ennis, who was killed last January. Oprah's January Book Club show will feature a special dinner for kids with Bill Cosby.

With over thirty children's books to his credit, I spoke with Jonathan London concerning his career as a children's book author and in particular his most recent book, "Ali, Child of the Desert." Below are some of the highlights of my conversation with this interesting man. Q: You have written a variety of different books, from comical, with your "Froggy" books, to Native American tales, stories of nature, and cross-cultural experiences. Your diversity is interesting. What can you share with us about your wide range of interests as a writer?

Roger March, manager of Smithfield Rare Books, is used to local residents coming into the book shop asking to apply for a library card. The shop, which recently moved to a larger building and expanded its collections, hopes to court more locals, March says. "I have so many people from out of town who come in to buy books, and people from Smithfield don't know we're a book shop," March says. "We really are tucked away in a sleepy, little town, and I don't think people realize what treasures we have."

Roger March, manager of Smithfield Rare Books, is used to local residents coming into the book shop asking to apply for a library card. The shop, which recently moved to a larger building and expanded its collections, hopes to court more locals, March says. "I have so many people from out of town who come in to buy books, and people from Smithfield don't know we're a book shop," March says. "We really are tucked away in a sleepy, little town, and I don't think people realize what treasures we have."

Believe it or not, I don't like doing bad reviews. What I'd really like is to have every children's book be one worth reading. When I come across books that are particularly poor, it infuriates me. After all, most people work hard for their money and think carefully about what they purchase and how they pay for things. Buying children's books is no exception. So, in the interest of protecting your child's mind and your wallet, below is my annual list of the "Ten Worst" children's books I've read this year.

Preparing for his retirement next year, Jim Gleason established a Williamsburg-based book store, Williamsburg Bookstop, last May. Gleason, general manager of the Whittaker's Mill resort in Williamsburg, says going into the book business was only natural for him. He loves books and has been a collector most of his life. Gleason has stocked his 720-square-foot store, located in Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center, with hardbacks, paperbacks, children's books and a variety of collectible books, magazines and posters.

Who says Dr. Seuss is dead? Theodore Seuss Geisel, the beloved author of children's books, passed away recently, but about 90 sixth-graders at Magruder Elementary School proved to parents and friends "Dr. Seuss Lives" through his works in an hourlong show Thursday night in the school auditorium. The youngsters prepared for the show during a nine-week workshop at Bruton High School, which houses the School of the Arts for York County public schools. Their teachers were Jennifer Chalkley, Tasha Tacosa, Annette Turman and Kim Williams, themselves drama students at the School of the Arts.